Players turn out in force for Cheltenham Networking Evening

The stunning Hotel du Vin, Cheltenham was the venue for the recent RPA (Rugby Players’ Association) Business Club Networking Evening for Gloucester Rugby and Worcester Warriors. A number of first-team stars and academy players were in attendance to explore their post rugby career options.

The evenings are part of the RPA Player Development Programme (PDP), which aims to individually assist players in their personal and professional development, helping them to identify a second career and providing them with skills for a smooth transition into life after rugby.

England international Freddie Burns certainly appreciated the importance of a player event such as this, saying: “I’m only 22 but I think it’s vitally important that we as rugby players are thinking about the future and what to do next. Events like this RPA Networking Evening give us a chance to explore future options and meet valuable contacts that could potentially help us in our post-rugby careers.